10 NBA players 35 or older who can still get the job done

Some of the players fans have come to know as stars in the NBA are beginning to fade away into retirement, as Father Time takes his toll. But some of these guys still have something left to contribute and aren't ready to call it quits just yet.

Here are 10 players 35 or older who are still making their presence felt in the NBA:

10. Kevin Garnett, age: 39

Kevin Garnett is not nearly carrying the same load that he was in his first stint in Minnesota, but he is still logging minutes and contributing in different ways. The Big Ticket is helping in the molding of number one draft pick Karl-Anthony Towns.

Garnett is acting as Towns' mentor, helping him transition into the NBA. KG also starts at power forward for the Timberwolves and is averaging 3.1 points and just over five rebounds per game in 15.8 minutes of action per game.

9. Jason Terry, age: 38

Jason Terry, age: 38 (Eric Christian Smith/AP)

Jason Terry — a former teammate of Garnett's in Boston — is once again finding ways to be useful. In 16.8 minutes a game Terry has averaged 5.5 points per game for the Rockets.

On November 4, The Jet had his best game this season with 19 points and an assist on 6-of-10 shooting. He also made five-of-nine threes in the 110-98 loss to Dallas.

8. Richard Jefferson, age: 35

Richard Jefferson, age: 35 (David Richard/USA Today Sports)

Richard Jefferson has bounced around the league since playing seven seasons with the New Jersey Nets, playing with Milwaukee, San Antonio, Golden State, Utah, and Dallas since 2008. Jefferson joined LeBron James and the Cavs in the offseason, and has played pretty well so far.

In 24 minutes per game he is averaging 7.3 points and just over a rebound a game. RJ had a big game on November 6 against the 76ers in a game where the Cavs needed it after coming out flat. He had 17 points, two assists and a rebound to lift the lackluster Cavs to a win.

7. Luis Scola, age: 35

Luis Scola, age: 35 (Ron Turenne/NBAE/Getty Images)

Scola has always been known to put up a ton of shots, but he has also proven that he can put the ball in the basket. He is off to a good start this season with his new team, averaging 10.6 points and 6.3 rebounds per game.

Scola has three 20 point games and a double-double so far this season with the Raptors. He's also hit 12 of his 24 three-point attempts this season, already a career-high in makes and takes.

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6. Kobe Bryant, age: 37

Kobe Bryant, age: 37 (Kathy Willens/AP)

It has been hard for fans to watch one of the NBA's greats in his rapid decline so far this season. He has shot a career low 31% from the field and 19% from beyond the arc. He has not been the Kobe people are used to seeing this season.

Even when Kobe is playing the worst basketball of his career, Kobe will always gets his buckets. He is averaging a respectable 15.2 points per game, although it may be at the expense of his team's win total; he's shooting more threes than ever before, averaging seven a game, and his 16.4 shots are by far the most of any Laker this season. He is also averaging 3.5 assists and 4.3 points per game.

5. Manu Ginobili, age: 38

Manu Ginobili, age: 38 (Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE/Getty Images)

He is in his 14th season with the Spurs and Manu Ginobili is still competing at a high level and for a championship. His numbers haven't even dropped off that much. He's started this season off averaging 11.4 points 3.6 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game.

The Argentinian shooting guard has scored in the double digits in eight of the 13 games he has played in this season.

4. Jamal Crawford, age: 35

Jamal Crawford, age: 35 (Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE/Getty Images)

Jamal Crawford is still getting the job done off of the bench for a the Clippers. His jumper and handle could keep his job safe for a little while. He' averaging 13.1 points and 2.1 assists per game through 15 games this season.

Crawford exploded for 37 points and eight assists on November 14 in a win over the Pistons with Chris Paul on the bench. He shot 12-of-27 and made all 10 of his free throws to lead LA over a solid Detroit team.

3. Tim Duncan, age: 39

Tim Duncan, age: 39 (Al Bello/Getty Images)

For the Spurs, it's all about the postseason, so Duncan's numbers aren't all that impressive when you stack them up against his Hall of Fame career stats. In his 19th season in San Antonio he's averaging 10 points and 8.2 rebounds in 27 minutes a game this season.

The Big Fundamental has four double-doubles this season and is shooting 53% from the field. Gregg Popovich knows what he can expect from his big man.

2. Pau Gasol, age: 35

Pau Gasol, age: 35 (Kathy Kmonicek/AP)

Pau Gasol is in his second season with the Chicago Bulls, and he is looking to help them become a true title contender this year. The Bulls will need Gasol to perform alongside Jimmy Butler and a healthy Derrick Rose. So far Gasol is doing alright on his part this season.

The Spaniard has scored in double digits in 11 of his first 13 games with six double-doubles.

1. Dirk Nowitzki, age: 37

13-time all-star Dirk Nowitzki may be the only one on this list who still carries the same burden for his team as he did in his prime. The seven-footer is still very much the centerpiece of the Mavericks offense, and he is still thriving.

Dirk is averaging 17.4 points and 7.1 rebounds through 15 games this season. He has scored in double digits in every game he has played this season except for one, in which he scored nine against the Lakers. He is scoring at an efficient rate, shooting it at 52% from the field and 51% from three-point range in Dallas' 9-7 start.